Do you wear ear plugs/protection when hunting?

Question

I always wear ear protection in the form of plugs when hunting fowl. I also wear protection when target and skeet shooting. It makes sense because you shoot so often in these situations and the people around you are shooting.

However, I am just starting to deer hunt and want to boar hunt. I am wondering do people wear ear protection when hunting bigger game? Usually you only fire 1 or 2 shots, you don't hunt in areas with a lot of other hunters, and you probably need to hear the sounds of the woods. If you wear ear protection, what kind do you recommend for deer/boar hunting?

Thanks,

Ty19 · Accepted Answer

I would recommend the auto-silencing ear plugs or ear muffs, they amplify sound until it reaches about 60-80db and then go quiet for the shot, there about $30-$50. Most hunting and shooting stores carry them, as well as wal-mart.

Anonymous · Answer

Personally, I was born with a hearing impairment in both ears which requires that I wear hearing aids.  

My current hearing aids are produced by Oticon, the same company which produces components for GameEar, a hearing aid which amplifies the sound of game but will block the noise of a firearm and therefore protect the ear as well.  

While my hearing aids do not amplify the sounds of game, they do muffle any noise that exceeds 90 decibels and can therefore serve as hearing protection as well.  Thus, while I can't attest to the game-noise enhancing qualities of the GameEar, I can say that, if it is anything like my commercial hearing aids, it should de a great job at allowing you to hear while protecting your ears from damage.

If you'd like any additional help, please feel free to E-mail me.

PS.  Do everything possible to protect your hearing, being hearing impaired is not fun...

Anonymous · Answer

For deer hunting and boar hunting definitely no. How would you hear them in the brush? I suppose if you were on plains type landscape you could but with deer/boar hunting you are only going to take 1 shot, 2 if you are unlucky so the damage to your ears is very slight, if any.

Anonymous · Answer

I do but then I have extra sensitive ears, my husband says I can hear a mouse fart in the next room.  My eardrums pick up every sound amplified.  You should protect your ears but do what is comfortable for you.

1,1,2,3,3,4, 5,5,6,6,6, 8,8,8,10 · Answer

Yes, a rifle blast is enough to give you hearing loss.

Anonymous · Answer

it depend for my M1 Garand no for my Barrett 50. yes

Trending News

Do you wear ear plugs/protection when hunting?

6 Answers